Must Plays in Chicago?

[AC168]

Hi everyone,

 

Was just wondering for those of you who have played a lot of golf in Chicago, if there are a list of must plays? I know some of the courses are difficult to get a tee time at, but my trip is still a while away. Any thoughts on Chicago, Medinah 3, Medinah 1, Butler National, Olympia Fields (North), OF South, Rich Harvest Links ... any others?

 

Thanks!

[Guardian5]

[quote name='AC168' timestamp='1404799241' post='9657815']
Hi everyone,

Was just wondering for those of you who have played a lot of golf in Chicago, if there are a list of must plays? I know some of the courses are difficult to get a tee time at, but my trip is still a while away. Any thoughts on Chicago, Medinah 3, Medinah 1, Butler National, Olympia Fields (North), OF South, Rich Harvest Links ... any others?

Thanks!
[/quote]

I enjoy Chicago and the golf is excellent, start at Chicago Golf Club it is superb, Shore Acres is a true masterpiece, I was there only two weeks ago, Old Elm is a brilliant course and club, the greens are being renovated this summer and will reopen in September, Onwentsia is another course and club that I enjoy along with Conway Farms.

Chicago Golf, SA and OE you shall need to be introduced by a member and are magnificent.
Have a good trip

[DavePelz4]

To get on Medinah, Chicago Golf Club, both of the Olympia Fields courses, etc. you need to be a guest of a member or play in some kind of event. With that said, Chicago has some awesome courses such as:

Prairie Landing
Cog Hill
Oak Grove
Highlands of Elgin
Village Links
Arrowhead
George Dunne
Cantigny
TPC Deere Run (2.5 hours west)
The General (also 2.5 hours west)
Stonewall Orchard
Harborside
Bolingbrook

And tons more depending on your budget.

[jimwgt26]

The private courses you've metioned are all really great. I've played all but Chicago and Medinah #1. If you have a connection to play any of these, It's worth pursuing.

[gents15]

All the courses you've listed are private and you won't be able to get on without a member. If you can get on any of them, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I live in Chicago and haven't played any of these courses...but from what I've heard Medinah #3, Shoreacres, Butler, Chicago and OF North are probably the top tier of those courses. As far as public courses...I'd recommend cantigny to the west, mistwood to the south and thunderhawk to the north. Dubsdread at Cog Hill is another top tier course that I'm sure you're aware of...and it's a public track. Enjoy.

[AC168]

Has anyone played Bulter National? Is it as good as say Chicago and Medinah?

[highdraw69]

[quote name='AC168' timestamp='1405299477' post='9694117']
Has anyone played Bulter National? Is it as good as say Chicago and Medinah?
[/quote]

I've played Butler, Medinah #3 and #1 (not Chicago); Butler is a beast of a course, it plays long and difficult; Medinah hard to bypass just because of the history (don't try to hit a hero shot out of the trees there, tho); you really can't go wrong if you can get on any of these courses